Wire line core barrel and by-pass assembly



Dec. 20, 1966 L ET AL WIRE LINE CORE BARREL AND BY-PASS ASSEMBLY Filed June 15, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS' PERRY B. HALL JAMES W. SMYTH 17 TT'OR/VEY Dec. 20, 1966 P. B. HALL ET AL 3,292,717

WIRE LINE GORE BARREL AND BYPASS ASSEMBLY Filed June 15, 1964 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 444 A I35 H8 I47 I08 INVENTORS PERRY B. HALL I? 5 JAMES W. SMYTH Dec. 20, 1966 P. B. HALL. ET AL 3,292,717

WIRE LINE CORE BARREL AND BY-PASS ASSEMBLY United States Patent C) 3,292,717 WIRE LINE CORE BARREL AND BY-PASS ASSEMBLY Perry B. Hall, Vancouver, British Columbia, and James W. Smyth, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, assiguors to Boyles Bros. Drilling Company Ltd., Vaucouver, British Columbia, Canada, a corporation of British Columbia Filed June 15, 1964, Ser. No. 375,218 18 Claims. (Cl. 175-46) This invention relates to wire line core barrels for drills which are usually used for deep drilling.

This drilling apparatus includes a core barrel outer tube adapted to be secured to the lower end of a sectional hollow drill rod, said outer tube having a drilling bit at its lower end. An inner tube or core barrel assembly is removably locked in the outer tube when the apparatus is in operation, said inner assembly being movable through the drill rod into and out of the outer tube. A core tube is connected to the inner tube assembly and projects downwardly therefrom, and this core tube is normally positioned near the drilling bit to receive a core out thereby. This core tube has the usual core retainer associated therewith.

The assembly according to the present invention has a novel latch arrangement for positively but releasably securing the inner tube assembly in place within the outer tube; a valve controlled by-pass system within the inner tube assembly which permits water to flow therethrough as it is moved upwardly or downwardly through the drill rod; a flow indicator valve in the inner tube assembly which restricts the flow of water through the assembly when the inner tube is forced upwardly by the action of the core or when a block occurs at the 'bit to indicate by an increase in water pressure to the operator that the drilling should be stopped; means in the inner tube assembly for stopping the flow of water therethrough if said assembly stops during downward movement through the drill rod before it reaches its proper latching position with respect to the outer tube, this causing a sudden rise in the water pressure, indicating to the operator that the inner tube assembly has not reached its proper drilling position; a one-piece latch which is mechanicallyand firmly held in locking position to lock the inner assembly to the outer tube during operation of the apparatus; and means for blocking the flow of Water through the inner tube assembly when the inner tube is moved upwardly by the action of the core or when a block occurs without releasing the mechanical lock, this stopping of the water flow increasing the pressure in the water and indicating to the operator that the inner tube assembly should be raised.

In the accompanying drawings,

FIGURE 1 is a vertical section through the top half of a wire line core barrel assembly incorporating the present invention with the parts in position for normal operation,

FIGURE 2 is a vertical section through the lower half of the core barrel assembly,

FIGURE 3 is a view similar .to FIGURE 1 with the parts in the positions they assume when the inner tube assembly is moving upwardly through a drill rod, the upper part of the assembly being gripped by the latch of an overshot body,

FIGURE 4 is a cross section taken on the line 44 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional taken on the line 55 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 6 is a cross section taken on the line 6+6 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 7 is a cross section taken on the line 77 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the inner tube assembly in a position just before it reaches its final operative position,

FIGURE 9 is a vertical section through the overshot in the drill rod,

FIGURE 10 illustrates the overshot gripping the spearhead of the inner tube assembly, and

FIGURE 11 is a view similar to FIGURE 10, illustrating the overshot gripping a ring that has been applied to the assembly beneath the spearhead to enable the overshot to be removed therefrom.

Referring to the drawings, 10 is a drill core barrel con sisting of a core barrel outer tube 12 and an inner tube assembly generally designated by the numeral 14.

The upper end of outer tube 12 is connected to a guide coupling 15 which, in turn, is secured at its upper end to an adaptor guide coupling 16. The core barrel operates in a drill hole at the lower end of a sectional hollow drill rod, a portion of a drill rod 17 being shown in FIG- URES l and 3. A drill bit 20 is connected by a reaming shell 22 to the lower end of outer tube 12.

The inner tube assembly 14 includes the usual inner or core tube 25 which has -a standard core retainer assembly 26 at its lower end just above the bit 20. The upper end of inner or core tube 25 is attached to a bearing 7 housing 30 with shims 31 therebetween for length adjustment. Bearing housing 30is rotatably mounted on a spindle 34 by means of a bearing assembly 35 and is held in place by a retaining plug 3 6 having oil seals 37 therein.

Spindle 34 extends upwardly into a spring housing 40 and has a collar 41 fitting over and fastened to its upper end by a headed pin 42. Collar 41 has an annular flange 43 at its upper end overlying the adjacent upper end of housing 40. A washer 44 is removably located between collar flange 43 and the upper end of housing 40. When spindle 34 and its associated elements are in their normal operating positions, core tube 25 is in an upper position, at which time a litter case 45, forming part of core retainer assembly 26, is spaced a little above an internal shoulder 46 of bit 20, see FIGURE 2. If washer 44 is removed, bit shoulder 46 can be moved upwardly to engage the lower end of lifter case 45. Below collar 41 is a "helical spring 47 surrounding spindle 34 and contained in housing 40 by a shoulder 48 of a sleeve 49 surrounding the spindle and connected thereto by a pin connected to housing 40 by keys'52 and a pin 53 which therein.

fits into slots 54 opening outwardly from the bottom of the collar, said keys and pin preventing the spindle from turning with respect to the outer tube 12 while allowing it to move axially. Bearing assembly 35 permits spindle 34 to rotate with outer tube 12 while core tube 25 remains stationary when there is a core therein.

Spring housing 40 has an extension or sleeve 55 removably secured to the upper end thereof. As sleeve 55 is an extension of housing 40, it will herein, for the sake of convenience, be considered a part of said housing. Extension 55 is formed with diametrically enlarged head 56. A seal 57 is provided on the outer surface of head 56 which slidably fits guide tube 15 and drill rod 17 when Guide coupling 15 has a main large bore 58,

' a second reduced bore 59 therebeneath, and a third re- I tube 12 and the lower part of said coupling. Head 56 of housing 40 slidably fits within the second bore 59. f the guide coupling, and said head 56 has a reduced section 62 which slidably fits in third bore 60. A shoulder 63 is formed between second and third bores 59 and 60, and is opposed to a shoulder 64 between housing head 56 and reduced section 62. With this arrangement, when housing 40 moves downwardly towards outer tube 12, head 56 enters second bore 59 of coupling 15 to trap water in the space between shoulders 63 and 64. This produces a dash-pot eifect to slow the downward movement of inner tube assembly 14 as it nears its final position.

The head 56 of the extension of housing 40 has a bore or counterbore 68 therein to receive the lower end of a spearhead assembly 70. A plurality of radial ports 74 in the wall of housing 40 connect passage 61 to counterbore 68 in the upper end of said housing. Another set of radial ports 75 in housing extension 55 connect passage 61 to the interior of said extension immediately above the upper end of housing 40.

A tubular spring latch 77 is secured to the upper end of head 56 and projects upwardly therefrom. This spring latch is in the form of a tube which is slotted in an axial direction to form spaced spring fingers 79 that are arranged around the longitudinal -axis of spearhead assembly 70. Each spring finger 79 has an enlarged tip 80 at its outer end with an outer shoulder 81 thereon and a vertical inner surface 82. Each finger 79 also has an inwardly projection spacer or lug 83 substantially midway between the ends thereof and having a vertical inner surface 84. When these fingers 79 are in an outer expanded position, the shoulders 81 thereof engage a shoulder 86 formed by the lower end of adaptor guide coupling 16 to prevent the inner tube assembly 14 from moving up wardly in the core barrel.

The spearhead assembly includes a relatively long sleeve 89 which extends downwardly from an upper end 90 through spring lat-ch 77 and down into bore 68 of housing 40. A tubular member 92 slidably fits in the lower end of sleeve 89 and projects outwardly from said lower end, said tubular member having an enlargement or head at its lower end which acts as a flow indicator valve 95. This valve or head slidably fits in bore 68 of housing 40, and is normally located just below ports 74 when the inner tube assembly is locked in operative position in outer tube 12. Valve 95 engages and is movable upwardly by the stem collar 41 to block said ports against the action of a spring 97 surrounding tubular member 92 and extending between a shoulder 98 on the outer surface of said member and a stop 99 projecting inwardly from sleeve 89. Downward movement of valve 95 is limited by an enlargement 101 formed on the upper end of member 92 and adapted to engage stop 99. When the inner tube assembly is in operative position and enlargement 101 engages a stop 99, valve 95 is positioned below ports 74, as shown in FIGURE 1. V

The aligned interiors of tubular member 92 and sleeve 89 form a central passage 105. A valve seat 108 is formed in sleeve 89 at the upper end of passage 105 and located some distance above enlargement 101 of tubular I Spring 122 normally keeps by-pass valve v118 on seat 108, at which time it closes and stops the flow of water through radial ports 129 extending through sleeve 89 immediately above seat 108. An annular passage 130 surrounds sleeve 89 and communicates at 131 at its upper end with the interior of guide coupling 16, and at its lower end 132 with ports 74 when valve 95 is in its normal lower or extended position. Ports 129 also communicate with annular passage 130. As previously stated, ports 129 are normally closed by valve 118, but when the latter is raised from seat 108, ports 129 are in communication with central passage 105. valve 118 is lifted off its seat when spearhead 126 is pulled upwardly against the pressure of spring 122, and a stop 135 on the inside of sleeve 89 limits the upward movement of said valve 118 relative to sleeve 89. If spearhead 126 is further pulled upwardly, sleeve 89, tubular member 92 and flow indicator valve 95 move with it until said valve engages a stop 138 formed on the inner surface of housing 40 spaced above ports 74. At this time, valve 95 is above said ports so that central passage 105 is'in communication through ports 74 with annular passage 60, and as the upper end p of central passage 105 is in communication with the annu-lar passage 130 at this time, said annular passage 61 is sleeve 89 within spring latch 77 and project above tops 80 of spring fingers 79. The spaces between ribs 140 permit a water to flow therebetween and along annular passage member 92. The lower end of valve 95 normally engages collar 41 at the upper end of spindle 34.

A rod 115 extends longitudinally through the central part of upper end 90 of sleeve 89, said rod having an enlargement at its lower end forming a by-pass valve 118 having a lower inclined surface 119 adapted to rest on valve seat 108. Valve 118 slidably fits Within sleeve 89 and a coil spring 122 extends between the upper end of this valve and an annular shoulder 123 formed on and projecting inwardly from sleeve 89 near the upper end thereof. A spearhead 126 is fixedly secured to the upper end of rod 115 and has a shank 127 slidably fitting within upper end 90 of said sleeve '89. An annular shoulder 128 is formed on the inner end of the spearhead near shank 127.

130. Each rib 140 is formed on its outer surface with a plurality of inclined steps 142, 143 and 144. First step 142 of each of these ribs leads from the outer surface of sleeve 89 to an outer surface 146 which engages the inner surface 84 of lug 83 of an adjacent spring finger 79 to hold said finger in an outer position. Second step 143' leads outwardly from surface 146 to another outer surface 147 which bears against the inner surface of adjacent finger tip 80 firmly to retain said tip beneath shoulder 86; At this time, third step 144 rests on the upper end of an adjacent tip 80 to limit downward travel of sleeve 89. When lugs 83 and tips 80 of spring fingers'79 bear against outer surfaces 146 and 147 of ribs 140, the spring fingers are firmly held in their outermost or locking positions. However, when sleeve 89 is drawn upwardly by spearhead 126 until valve engages stop 138, lugs 83 ride down steps 142 and finger tips 80 ride down steps 143, allowing fingers 79 to spring inwardly clear of annular shoulder 86. This permits the inner tube assembly to be drawn upwardly through adaptor 16 and drill rod 17. Fingers 79 naturally spring inwardly when sleeve 89 is drawn upwardly relative to said fingers.

When spring fingers 79 are pressed outwardly by ribs 140, said fingers are pressed against the inner surface of coupling 15 and cause the inner tube assembly to remain stationary relative to coupling 15 and outer tube 12 so that the assembly rotates therewith. Keys 52 cause spindle 34 to rotate with the assembly, while bearing assembly 35 permits core tube 25 to remain stationary when there i is a core therein.

Starting with the core barrel outer tube 12 in a hole,

the inner tube assembly 14 is made ready for insertion in drill rod 17 by drawing spearhead 126 as far as possible relative to the assembly to permit the spring fingers of rod with seal 57 preventing liquid from moving past this If the inner tube assembly is pumped through rod 17 into place, the pressure above the inner tube assembly is always greater than below it. Therefore, the by-pass valve 118 remains closed when the inner tube assembly is pumped into place.

When the inner tube assembly 14 nears its operational position, water is trapped between shoulders 63 and 64 to provide a dash-pot action which comparatively gradually slows the downward speed of the assembly just before it arrives at its operative position.

When the tips 80 of the latch 77 have reached a point below the shoulder 86, the momentum and/ or water pressure forces the spearhead assembly 70 downwardly, causing the ribs 140 on sleeve 89 to press spring fingers 79 outwardly and thereby move finger tips 80 into position beneath annular shoulder 86, holding them in place to lock the inner tube assembly 14 in its operative or working position. The flow indicator valve 95 also moves from above to below ports 74 to rest on collar 41 and to establish direct communication between passages 61 and 130 through said ports. With the inner tube securely locked in place and circulation established through the inner tube assembly, drilling can commence.

However, if the latch 77 does not engage properly, the spearhead assembly 70 cannot drop down to allow the flow indicator valve 95 to move below ports 74 to establish circulation. Thus the fiow of water is stopped causing a sharp increase of pressure at the gauge at the top of the hole to warn the operator of trouble, thereby preventing the commencement of drilling until the trouble is eliminated and circulation is established.

When the inner tube 25 is full of core, or when a block occurs, or when free entry of the core is prevented, the inner tube is forced upwardly against the loaded spring 47, moving the spindle 34 and collar 41 upwardly. Since the flow indicator valve 95 rests on the collar 41, it is moved up to a point where it closes ports 74, thus stopping the flow of circulating fluid that is being pumped down the drill rod and through the inner assembly 14. This causes a rise in water pressure at the gauge at the top of the hole and indicates to the operator that the drilling must be stopped immediately, and the inner tube assembly brought to the surface.

In order to retrieve the inner tube assembly 14, an overshot 155 is dropped or pumped through drill rod 17 at the end of a wire or cable 156, until it engages and grasps spearhead 126. The first pull on the spearhead lifts valve 118 off seat 108, and further upward movement lifts sleeve 89 and its ribs 140 relative to spring fingers 79 to permit said fingers to spring inwardly clear of annular shoulder 86. Latch 77 is now fully released so that it will pass through the drill rod. When the spearhead has reached the limit of its outer travel relative to sleeve 89, valve 95 is above ports 74 and valve 118 is off seat 108, so that ports 128 are uncovered. The water above the inner assembly 14, now flows through annular passage 130, ports 129, central passages 105, ports 74 and passage 60. This by-passing of the water perm-its the inner tube assembly to 'be hoisted at a faster rate than would otherwise be possible, and it greatly reduces the load on the hoist since the assembly is not attempting to lift the column of water above it in the drill rod.

Before the inner tube can be hoisted out of the hole, the drill rod is pulled up about an inch to move the face of the bit from the rock and also to break the core from the rock by the action of the core lifter 26 which grips the core. The pulling force required to break off the core is normally transmitted from the drill rod 17 to the core lifter 26 by the shoulders 63 and 64, to the inner tube assembly, down the inner tube 25 to the core lifter case 45, thence to the core lifter 26. Some rock, however, requires a very large force to break off the core, and in this case, to protect the components of the inner tube assembly from excessive strains, washer 44 is removed. This allows the inner tube to remain stationary after the core lifter has engaged the core during the initial pull While the outer tube moves up until the shoulder 46 of the bit 20 contacts the bottom of the lifter case 45. The force to break the core is now transmitted down the outer tube 12 to the core lifter 26 via shoulder 46 and case 45. Thus, the inner tube assembly is relieved of this great load.

When valve is in its normal position, it is located between ports 74 and 75 so that the water pressure above and below this valve is equalized.

Spring latch 77 is an improvement over latches for the same purpose in the prior art. The tips 80' of fingers 79 engage almost the entire shoulder 86 :at the lower end of coupling 16. This spreads the load over practically the entire shoulder, thereby preventing grooves from being worn into it. Furthermore, when sleeve 89 moves down- Wardly relative to head 56 and latch 77, spring fingers 79 are positively moved outwardly and locked in position by the engagement of outer surfaces 146 and 147 of ribs with inner surfaces 84 and 82 of lugs 83 and tips 80.

respectively.

As the inner tube 25 moves upwardly when it is filled with a core or when a blockage at the drill bit occurs, flow indicator valve 95 is lifted upwardly to block ports '74 without shifting sleeve 89 and therefore without releasing spring fingers 79. The closing of ports 74 by this action causes a pressure rise at the pump gauge at the top of the hole, indicating to the operator that the core tube is filled or a blockage has occurred, and that in either case the inner tube assembly 14 must be lifted to the surface. The fact that spring fingers 79 are moved outwardly by downward movement of sleeve 89 ensures positive movement of said fingers, and does not rely upon the resiliency of the metal forming said fingers. The resiliency of the fingers moves them inwardly when sleeve 89 is moved upwardly relative to them, but should any of the fingers fail to move inwardly :at this time, the outer shoulder 81 of each tip 80 would engage annular shoulder 86 in adaptor 16, and as the latter shoulder is inclined inwardly, the fingers would be guided inwardly as there is nothing to hold them in their outer positions.

FIGURES 9 to 11 illustrate the overshot 155. This overshot includes a body connected to the end of cable 156 by means of which it is drawn through drill rod 17. If the body is to be pumped through rod 17, it is provided with piston packings 164 which slidably fit within the drill rod. On the other hand, if the overshot is intended to be used in holes where it can fall by gravity, packings 164- are omitted and body 160 constructed so that it clears the inner surface of rod 17.

A tubular spring latch 168 is secured to and projects outwardly in an axial direction from the lower end of body 169. This latch is preferably in the form of a tube 170 having an outer end 171. This tube has aplurality of slits 173 extending inwardly from its end 171 in an axial direction and forming therebetween spring fingers 174. These fingers completely surround the bore 176 of tube 170, said-bore opening out from the tube end 171. Each finger has a projection 178 near the outer end thereof and extending radially into bore 176. Each projection is formed with a locking shoulder 179 at an inner end thereof and a surface 180 inclined outwardly from said shoulder to the outer end .of the finger to combine with similar surfaces of the other fingers to form a lead-in 182 for bore 17 6.

Assuming that spearhead 126 is in operational position within core barrel 10, when it is desired to move the inner tube assembly 14 from said barrel, the overshot body 160 is pumped or dropped through drill rod 17, and in either case, cable 156 follows it. When latch 168 reaches the spearhead, fingers 174 move over the inclined surface of the spearhead, springing outwardly until projections 178 clear the head, at which time, the fingers snap the projections with the shoulders 179 thereof behind and engaging shoulder 128 of the spearhead. Then when overshot 155 is hoisted upwardly by cable 156, the latch grips the spearhead first drawing it upwardly relative to inner tube assembly 14 to release spring latch 77 thereof, further upward movement of the overshot drawing the assembly with it through drill rod 17.

When it is desired to remove latch 168 from spearhead 126, a split ring or collet 189 is placed on the upper end 90 of sleeve 89. Then the overshot is moved until the ends of fingers 174 ride on to this ring to grip said ring. The inside diameter of ring 189 is greater than the maximum diameter of spearhead 126 so that when the overshot is moved in a direction away from the inner tube assembly, ring 189 rides over the spearhead keeping the latch fingers clear of it.

When the inner tube assembly is to be lowered through the drill rod in a dry hole, it is necessary to lower the assembly by means of overshot 155 and cable 156. In this case, an unbroken ring 189 is placed on sleeve end 90 before the overshot is attached to spearhead 126, and then the inner tube assembly is lowered through the drill rod. When this assembly is latched in its operative position, the overshot is disconnected by lowering it relative to the spearhead until spring fingers 174 ride on to ring 189. The overshot is now drawn upwardly by means of cable 156, dragging ring 189 over the spearhead, thereby freeing the overshot therefrom.

What we claim as our invention is:

1. In a core barrel, a spearhead assembly for movement in an outer tubular arrangement comprising a sleeve adapted to move within and axially of an outer tubular arrangement, a spearhead projecting from an end of said sleeve and having a rod slidably extending longitudinally of the sleeve, a tubular spring latch completely surrounding the sleeve, said sleeve being axially movable relative to the spring latch, said latch having spring fingers around the sleeve extending towards the spearhead end of said sleeve, and means on the sleeve engaging the spring fingers to move said fingers outwardly against the resiliency thereof into locking position upon movement of the sleeve inwardly relative to the latch, said engaging means permitting the fingers to spring inwardly when the sleeve moves in the opposite direction.

2. In a core barrel, a spearhead assembly for movement in an outer tubular arrangement comprising a sleeve adapted to move within and axially of an outer tubular arrangement, a spearhead projecting from an end of said sleeve and having a rod slidably extending longitudinally of the sleeve, a tubular spring latch completely surrounding the sleeve, said sleeve being axially movable relative to the spring latch, said latch having spring fingers around the sleeve extending towards the spearhead end of said sleeve, said arms tending to spring towards the sleeve, a plurality of ribs on and extending longitudinally of the outer surface of the sleeve, said ribs being positioned and shaped to move the spring fingers outwardly against the resiliency thereof into locking position upon movement of the sleeve inwardly relative to the latch, and said ribs permitting the fingers to spring inwardly when the sleeve moves in the opposite direction.

3. Core barrel apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which each finger has an inwardly-projecting thickened tip at a free end thereof and a lug spaced from said tip and projecting inwardly from the finger, and each rib is shaped to engage. a finger tip and lug to hold said finger firmly in locking position,

4. Core barrel apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which each lug projects inwardly from its finger more than the tip of said finger, and each rib is stepped to fit against inner surfaces of the tip and lug of a finger.

5. In a core barrel, a spearhead assembly for movement in an outer tubular arrangement comprising a sleeve adapted to move within and axially of an outer tubular arrangement, a spearhead projecting from an end of said sleeve and having a rod slidably extending longitudinally of the sleeve, a valve seat within the sleeve spaced inwardly from the spearhead, ports through the sleeve near said seat, an inner passage in the sleeve in communication with said ports and extending through said seat to the adjacent end of the sleeve, a valve connected to the spearhead rod spring loaded normally to engage the valve seat to close off the ports from said passage, and a stop shoulder in the sleeve spaced above the valve and engaged by the latter when the spearhead is drawn outwardly relative to the sleeve to remove the valve from the valve seat, thereby bringing said passage into communication with the ports.

6. In a core barrel, a spearhead assembly for movement in an outer tubular arrangement comprising a sleeve adapted to move within and axially of an outer tubular arrangement, a spearhead projecting from an end of said sleeve and having a rod slidably extending longitudinally of the sleeve, a valve seat within the sleeve spaced in wardly from the spearhead, ports through the sleeve near said seat, an inner passage in the sleeve in communication with said ports and extending through said seat to the adjacent end of the sleeve, a valve connected to the spearhead rod spring loaded normally to engage the valve seat to close off the ports from said passage, a stop shoulder in the sleeve spaced above the valve and engaged by the latter when the spearhead is drawn outwardly relative to the sleeve to move the valve from the valve seat, thereby bringing said passage into communication with the ports, a stationary tubular spring latch completely surrounding the sleeve, said sleeve being axially movable relative to the spring latch, said latch having spring fingers around the sleeve extending towards the spearhead end of said sleeve, said arms tending to spring towards the sleeve, a plurality of ribs on and extending longitudinally of the outer surface of the sleeve, said ribs being positioned and shaped to move the spring fingers outwardly against the resiliency thereof into locking position upon movement of the sleeve inwardly relative to the latch, and said ribs permitting the fingers to spring inwardly when the sleeve moves in the opposite direction.

7. In a core barrel, a spearhead assembly for movement in an outer tubular arrangement comprising a sleeve adapted to move within and axially of an outer tubular arrangement, a spearhead projecting from an end of said sleeve and having a rod slidably extending longitudinally of the sleeve, a valve seat within the sleeve spaced inwardly from the spearhead, ports through the sleeve near said seat, an inner passage in the sleeve in communication with said ports and extending through said seat to the end of the sleeve remote from the spearhead, a valve connected to the spearhead r-od spring loaded normally to engage the valve seat to close off the ports from said passage, a stationary tubular spring latch completely surrounding the sleeve, said sleeve being axially movable relative to the spring latch, said latch having spring fingers around the sleeve extending towards the spearhead end of said sleeve, said arms tending to spring towards the sleeve, 'a plurality of ribs on and extending longitudinally of the outer surface of the sleeve, said ribs being positioned and shaped to move the spring fingers outwardly against the resiliency thereof into locking position upon movement of the sleeve inwardly relative to the latch, and said ribs permitting the fingers to spring inwardly when the sleeve moves in the opposite direction.

8. In a core barrel, a housing adapted to move in an outer tubular arrangement and having a counterbore in and opening outwardly from an end of said housing, a sleeve having an end slidably mounted in the housing 9 counterbore, a flow indicator valve slidably mounted in the housing near and connected to the end of the sleeve in the counterbore for limited movement relative to said sleeve end, said sleeve being spaced from the housing in the counterbore to form a water passage, ports in the housing opening into the counterbore near said sleeve, 21 spearhead projecting from the opposite end of said sleeve and having a rod slidably extending longitudinally of the sleeve, a valve seat within the sleeve spaced inwardly from the spearhead, ports through the sleeve near said seat and communicating with said water passage, an inner passage in the sleeve in communication with said sleeve ports and extending through said seat to the end of the sleeve remote from the spearhead, a control valve connected to the spearhead rod spring loaded normally to engage the valve seat to close off the sleeve ports from said inner passage, and means connecting the control valve to the sleeve after limited relative movement therebetween when the spearhead is drawn outwardly relative to the sleeve to remove said control valve from the valve seat.

9. Core barrel apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which the flow indicator valve is connected to the sleeve by a tubular member which slidably fits into the sleeve end, and including stop means on the tubular member and the sleeve for limiting movement of the indicator valve in a direction away from the sleeve, and spring means normally retaining said indicator valve in an extended position relative to the sleeve while permitting movement thereof towards the sleeve.

10. In a core barrel, a housing adapted to move in an outer tubular arrangement and having a counterbore in and opening outwardly from an end of said housing, a sleeve having an end slidably mounted in the housing counterbore, a flow indicator valve slidably mounted in the housing near and connected to the end of the sleeve in the counterbore for limited movement relative to said sleeve end, said sleeve being spaced from the housing in the counterbore to form a water passage, ports in the housing opening into the counterbore near said valve, a spearhead projecting from the opposite end of said sleeve and having a rod slidably extending longitudinally of the sleeve, 21 valve seat within the sleeve spaced inwardly from the spearhead, ports through the sleeve near said seat and communicating with said water passage, an inner passage in the sleeve in communication with said sleeve ports and extending through said seat to the end of the sleeve remote from the spearhead, a control valve connected to the spearhead rod spring loaded normally to engage the valve seat to close the sleeve ports from said inner passage, means connecting the control valve to the sleeve after limited relative movement therebetween when the spearhead is drawn outwardly relative to the sleeve to move said control valve from the valve seat, a tubular spring latch connected to said end of the housing and completely surrounding the sleeve, said sleeve being axially movable relative to the spring latch, said latch having spring fingers around the sleeve extending towards the spearhead end of said sleeve, and means on the sleeve engaging the spring fingers to move said fingers outwardly against the resiliency thereof into locking position upon movement of the sleeve inwardly relative to the latch, said engaging means permitting the fingers to spring inwardly when the sleeve moves in the opposite direction.

11. In a core barrel, a housing adapted to move in an outer tubular arrangement and having a counterbore in and opening outwardly from an end of said housing, a sleeve having an end slidably mounted in the housing counterbore, a flow indicator valve slidably mounted in the housing near and connected to the end of the sleeve in the counterbore for limited movement relative to said sleeve end, said sleeve being spaced from the housing in the counterbore to form a water passage, ports in the housing opening into the counterbore near said valve, a spearhead projecting from the opposite end of said sleeve and having a rod slidably extending longitudinally of the sleeve, a valve seat within the sleeve spaced inwardly from the spearhead, ports through the sleeve near said seat and communicating with said water passage, an inner passage in the sleeve in communication with said sleeve ports and extending through said seat to the end of the sleeve remote from the spearhead, a control valve connected to the spearhead rod spring loaded normally to engage the valve seat to close off the sleeve ports from said inner passage, means connecting the control valve to the sleeve after limited relative movement therebetween when the spearhead is drawn outwardly relative to the sleeve to remove said control valve from the valve seat, a tubular spring latch connected to said end of the housing and completely surrounding the sleeve, said sleeve being axially movable relative to the spring latch, said latch having spring fingers around the sleeve extending towards the spearhead end of said sleeve, said arms tending to spring towards the sleeve, a plurality of ribs on and extending longitudinally of the outer surface of the sleeve, said ribs being positioned and shaped to move the spring fingers outwardly against the resiliency thereof into locking position upon movement of the sleeve inwardly relative to the latch, and said ribs permitting the fingers to spring inwardly when the sleeve moves in the opposite direction.

12. In a core barrel, an outer tube, a housing adapted to move axially in the outer tube, said housing having a counterbore in and opening outwardly from an end thereof, a head formed on said end of the housing and slidably fitting in a portion of the bore of the outer tube when said housing is in a normal working position, said tube having an inner reduced bore section at the housing head, said reduced bore section and head having opposed shoulders to form a dash pot therebetween when the housing moves towards and reaches the working position thereof, a sleeve having an end slidably mounted in the housing counterbore, a flow indicator valve slidably mounted in the housing near and connected to the end of the sleeve in the counterbore for limited movement relative to said sleeve end, said sleeve being spaced from the housing in the counterbore to form a water passage, ports in the housing opening into the counterbore near said valve, a spearhead projecting from the opposite end of said sleeve and having a rod slidably extending longitudinally of the sleeve, a valve seat within the sleeve spaced inwardly from the spearhead, ports through the sleeve near said eat and communicating with said water passage, an inner passage in the sleeve in communication with said sleeve ports and extending through said seat to the end of the sleeve remote from the spearhead, a control valve con.- nected to the spearhead rod spring loaded normally to engage the valve seat to close ofI the sleeve ports from said inner passage, and means connecting the control valve to the sleeve after limited relative movement therebetween when the spearhead is drawn outwardly relative to the sleeve to remove said control valve from the valve seat.

13. In a core barrel, an outer tube, a housing adapted to move axially in the outer tube, said housing having a counterbore in and opening outwardly from an end thereof, a band formed in said end of the housing and slidably fitting in a portion of the bore of the outer tube when said housing is in a normal working position, said tube having an inner reduced bore section at the housing head, said reduced bore section and head having opposed shoulders to form a dash pot therebetween when the housing moves towards and reaches the working position thereof, a sleeve having an end slidably mounted in the housing counterbore, a spearhead projecting from an opposite end of the sleeve and having a rod slidably extending longitudinally of the sleeve, a valve seat within the sleeve spaced inwardly from the spearhead, ports through the sleeve near said seat communicating with the housing counterbore, an inner passage in the sleeve in communication with said ports and extending through said seat to the adjacent end of the sleeve, a valve connected to the spearhead rod spring loaded normally to engage the valve seat to close 011? the ports from said passage, and a stop shoulder in the sleeve spaced above the valve and engaged by the latter when the spearhead is drawn outwardly relative to the sleeve to remove the valve from the valve seat, thereby bringing said passage into communication with the ports 14. In a core barrel, an outer tube, a housing in the outer tube extending longitudinally of and spaced from said tube to form a first water passage therebetween, said housing being adapted to move axially in the outer tube and having a counterbore in and opening outwardly from an end of the housing, a head formed on said end of the housing and slidably fitting in the outer tube, a sleeve having an end slidably mounted in the housing counterbore, a flow indicator valve slidably mounted in the housing nead and connected to the end of the sleeve in the counterbore for limited movement relative to said sleeve end, said sleeve being spaced from the housing in the counterbore to form a second water passage, means limiting relative movement between the sleeve and the housing, ports in the housing bringing the first water passage into communication with the counterbore near said valve, a spearhead projecting from the opposite end of said sleeve and having a rod slidably extending longitudinally of the sleeve, a valve seat within the sleeve spaced inwardly from the spearhead, ports through the sleeve near said seat and communicating with the second water passage, an inner passage in the sleeve in communication with said sleeve ports and extending through said seat to the end of the sleeve remote from the spearhead, a control valve connected to the spearhead rod spring loaded normally to engage the valve seat to close oi? the sleeve ports from said inner passage, and means connecting the control valve to the sleeve after limited relative movement therebetween when the spearhead is drawn outwardly relative to the sleeve the remove said control valve from the valve seat.

15. In a core barrel, an outer tube, ahousing in the outer tube extending longitudinally of and spaced from said tube to form a first water passage therebetween, said housing being adapted to move axially in the outer tube and having a counterbore in and opening outwardly from an end of the housing, a head formed on said end of the housing and slidably fitting in the outer tube, a sleeve having an end slidably mounted in the housing counterbore, a flow indicator valve slidably mounted in the housing near and connected to the end of the sleeve in the counterbore for limited movement relative to said sleeve end, said sleeve being spaced from the housing in the counterbore to form a second water passage, ports in the housing bringing the first water passage into communication with the counterbore near said valve, a spearhead projecting from the opposite end of said sleeve andhaving a rod slidably extending longitudinally of the sleeve, a valve seat within the sleeve spaced inwardly from the spearhead, ports through the sleeve near said seatand communicating with the second water passage, an inner passage in the sleeve in communication with said sleeve ports and extending through said seat to the end of the sleeve remote from the spearhead, a control valve connected to the spearhead rod spring loaded normally to engage the valve seat to close off the sleeve ports from said inner passage, means connecting the control valve to the sleeve after limited relative movement therebetween when the spearhead is drawn outwardly relative to the sleeve to move said control valve from the valve seat, a tubular spring latch connected to said end of the housing and completely surrounding said sleeve, said sleeve being axially movable relative to the spring latch, said latch having spring fingers around the sleeve extending towards the spearhead end of said sleeve, and means on the sleeve engaging the spring fingers to move said fingers outwardly against the resiliency thereof into locking posispring inwardly when the sleeve moves in the opposite direction.

16. In a core barrel, an outer tube, a housing in the outer tube extending longitudinally of and spaced from said tube to form a first water passage therebetween, said housing being adapted to move axially in the outer tube and having a counterbore in and opening outwardly from an end of the housing, a head formed on said end of the housing and slidably fitting in the outer tube, a sleeve having an end slidably mounted in the housing counterbore, a flow indicator valve slidably mounted in the housing near and connected to the end of the sleeve in the counterbore for limited movement relative to said sleeve end, said sleeve being spaced from the housing in the counterbore to form a second water passage, ports in the housing bringing the first water passage into communication with the counterbore near said valve, a spearhead projecting from the opposite end of said sleeve and having a rod slidably extending longitudinally of the sleeve, a valve seat within the sleeve spaced inwardly from the spearhead, ports through the sleeve near said seat and communicating with the second water passage, an inner passage in the sleeve in communication with said sleeve ports and extending through said seat to the end of the sleeve remote from the spearhead, a control valve connected to the spearhead rod spring loaded normally to engage the valve seat to close off the sleeve ports from the inner passage, means connecting the control valve to the sleeve after limited relative movement therebetween when the spearhead is drawn outwardly rela-,

tive to the sleeve to remove said control valve from the valve seat, a tubular spring latch connected to said end of the housing and completely surrounding said sleeve, said sleeve being axially movable relative to the spring latch, said latch having spring fingers around the sleeve extending towards the spearhead end of said sleeve, means on the sleeve engaging the spring fingers to move said fingers outwardly against the resiliency thereof into locking position upon movement of the sleeve inwardly relative to the latch, said engaging means permitting the fingers to spring inwardly when the sleeve moves in the'opposite direction, and means co-acting between the sleeve and said housing for limiting relative movement therebetween.

17. In a core barrel, an outer tube, a housing in the outer tube extending longitudinally of and spaced from said tube to form a first water passage therebetween, said housing being adapted to move axially in the outer tube and having a counterbore in and opening outwardly from an end of the housing, a head formed on said end of the housing and slidably fitting in the outer tube, a sleeve having an end slidably mounted in the housing counterbore, a fiow indicator valve slidably mounted in the housing near and connected to the end of the sleeve in the counterbore for limited movement relative to said sleeve end, said sleeve being spaced from the housing in the counterbore to form a second water passage, means limiting relative movement between the sleeve and the housing, ports in the housing bringing the first water passage into communication with the counterbore near said valve, a spearhead projecting from the opposite end of said sleeve and having a rod slidably extending longitudinally of the sleeve, a valve seat within the sleeve spaced inwardly from the spearhead, ports through the sleeve near said seat and communicating with the second water passage, an inner passage in the sleeve in communication with said sleeve ports and extending through said seat to the end of the sleeve remote from the spearhead, a control valve connected to the spearhead rod spring loaded normally to engage the valve seat to close off the sleeve ports from said inner passage, means connecting the control valve to the sleeve after limited relative movement therebetween when the spearhead is drawn outwardly relative to the.

sleeve to move said control valve from the valve seat, a tubular spring latch connected to said end of the housing and completely surrounding said sleeve, said sleeve being axially movable relative to the spring latch, said latch having spring fingers around the sleeve extending towards the spearhead end of said sleeve, said arms tending to spring outwardly therefrom to engage locking means in said outer tube, a plurality of ribs on and extending longitudinally of the outer surface of the sleeve, said ribs being positioned and shaped to move the spring fingers outwardly against the resiliency thereof into locking position upon movement of the sleeve inwardly relative to the latch, and said ribs permitting the fingers to spring inwardly when the sleeve moves in the opposite direction.

18. In a core barrel, an outer tube, a housing in the outer tube extending longitudinally of and spaced from said tube to form a first water passage therebetween, said housing being adapted to move axially in the outer tube and having a counterbore in and opening outwardly from an end of the housing, a head formed on said end of the housing and slidably fitting in the outer tube, a sleeve having an end slidably mounted in the housing counterbore, a flow indicator valve slidably mounted in the housing near and connected to the end of the sleeve in the counterbore for limited movement relative to said sleeve end, said sleeve being spaced from the housing in the counterbore to form a second water passage, means limiting relative movement between the sleeve and the housing, ports in the housing bringing the first water passage into communication with the counterbore near said valve, a spearhead projecting from the opposite end of said sleeve and having a rod slidably extending longitudinally of the sleeve, a valve seat within the sleeve spaced inwardly from the spearhead, ports through the sleeve near said seat and communicating with the second water passage, an inner passage in the sleeve in communication with said sleeve ports and extending through said seat to the end of the sleeve remote from the spearhead, a control valve connected to the spearhead rod spring loaded normally to engage the valve seat to close off the sleeve ports from said inner passage, and means connecting the control valve to the sleeve after limited relative movement therebetween when the spearhead is drawn outwardly relative to the sleeve to remove said control valve from the valve seat, a tubular spring latch connected to said end of the housing and completely surrounding said sleeve, said sleeve being axially movable relative to the spring latch, said latch having spring fingers around the sleeve extending towards the spearhead end of said sleeve, said arms tending to spring outwardly therefrom to engage locking means in said outer tube, a plurality of ribs on and extending longitudinally of the outer surface of the sleeve, said ribs being positioned and shaped to move the spring fingers outwardly against the resiliency thereof into locking position upon movement of the sleeve inwardly relative to the latch, and said ribs permitting the fingers to spring inwardly when the sleeve moves in the opposite direction, and means co-acting between the sleeve and said housing for limiting relative movement therebetween.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,046,798 7/1936 Thrift 246 2,162,151 6/1939 Wranosky 166226 2,357,907 9/ 1944 Phillips 175236 2,776,015 1/ 1957 Bielstein 166-133 3,100,537 8/1963 CroWe 166226 3,126,059 3/1964 Fredd 166-2l7 JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Primary Examiner.

J. A. LEPPINK, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A CORE BARREL, A SPEARHEAD ASSEMBLY FOR MOVEMENT IN AN OUTER TUBULAR ARRANGEMENT COMPRISING A SLEEVE ADAPTED TO MOVE WITHIN AND AXIALLY OF AN OUTER TUBULAR ARRANGMENT, A SPEARHEAD PROJECTING FROM AN END OF SAID SLEEVE AND HAVING A ROD SLIDABLY EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OF THE SLEEVE, A TUBULAR SPRING LATCH COMPLETELY SURROUNDING THE SLEEVE, SAID SLEEVE BEING AXIALLY MOVABLE RELATIVE TO THE SPRING LATCH, SAID LATCH HAVING SPRING FINGERS AROUND THE SLEEVE EXTENDING TOWARDS THE SPEARHEAD END OF SAID SLEEVE, AND MEANS ON THE SLEEVE ENGAGING THE SPRING FINGERS TO MOVE SAID FINGERS OUTWARDLY AGAINST THE RESILIENCY THEREOF INTO LOCKING POSITION UPON MOVEMENT OF THE SLEEVE INWARDLY RELATIVE TO THE LATCH, SAID ENGAGING MEANS PERMITTING THE FINGERS TO SPRING INWARDLY WHEN THE SLEEVE MOVES IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. 